Field-fences



thereabout for the rails or horizontal pieces. VFive pieces of about four or five inches in uNrrE srarns PATENT; carton;

ELISHAxWEST, OF OGDEN, NEVYORK.4

Specication of Letters Patent No.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELISHA WEST, of Ogden, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Mode of Constructing Portable Field-Fences; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specification, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

Figure l is an elevation showing two panels of the fence as it appears when erected, Fig. 2, is an elevation of the supporting triangle or jack, and a section of the panels on the line a; Fig. l. Fig. 8, is an elevation showing how the panels are connected and disconnected.

Similar letters refer to like parts in all of the figures.

To `enable others to make and use my invention I will proceed to describe its construction. My fence is constructed in sections or panels using strips of boards of suitable length, say eight to twelve feet or width with suitable spaces between, form a very good panel, though the number of rails may vary with the width or with the desired height of the fence. These strips or rails are held together by being nailed to four battens, a pair at either end.

The extreme ends of the top and bottom rails A A, are nailed to the end batten B, at one end, but extend only to the inner batten C, of the other end, while the intermediate rails are so disposed as to fasten to the inner batten D, at one end and to the end batten E, at the other. These pairs of battens D B, and E C, being some eight or ten inches apart the arrangement of the rails leaves a space or opening at one end of the panel bounded by A A, and D B, while the interior rails occupy a corresponding space at the opposite end, leaving a space above and below unoccupied. The panels are all formed in this manner.

In putting up the fence the upper end of hatten E, is inserted in the opening between D and B, of the next panel, as shown by the light colored panel in Fig. 3, when it drops down to its proper position, as in- 22,994, dated February 15, 1859.

dicated by the dotted lines, which brings the rails all on a line, forming a straight fence with one smooth side, the battens being all on the same side. rlihe jack or triangle G, Fig. 2, is then inserted to lock the panels together and support the fence. It consists of a horizontal piece a with a vertical strip Z) rising from its center, to which it is nailed, and a diagonal or bracepiece c attached at one end of a and at about the middle lof Z9, with its end projecting a little. A notch is cut in t at (l for the reception of the lower rail A, and one in c to fit the under side of one of the upper' rails.

The end of a is inserted from the plain side of the fence under the lower rail of the panel, and pushed along until the vertical piece b is in contact with the fence when the rail drops into the notch CZ. The panels are then drawn in opposite directions until the diagonal piece c enters the oblique locking recesses e e, which are provided for that purpose on the inside of the battens E B. This locks the panels together so that they cannot be moved vertically except in unison while the position of hatten E, between D and B, secures both panels from being displaced or disconnected except by the removal of the jack Gr.

To secure it rmly to the ground a hook f may be driven down upon the horizontal piece a which effectually prevents it from being overturned by wind or other cause.

A diagonal batten or brace-piece I-I, is nailed to the middle of each panel to more effectually strengthen it, and prevent the battens at the ends from working loose.

It is of remarkable simplicity of construction and corresponding cheapness of cost. Very little lumber is required and the rails and battens being all of uniform length except the oblique ones there is no waste, and but little work in making them, while the principles involved in the method of combining and securing the parts make it a much stronger fence than many others containing double the quantity of material..

I do not claim panels constructed as above described, either with battens alternately on opposite sides, or entirely on one side, of the rails; nor do I claim a triangular or brace support for the panels of a fence; but

What I claim as my invention and desire l recesses e, e, the sections of the fence shall to secure by Letters Patent, isbe securely locked together in the manner lo The combination of the panels and the specified. triangular brace or jack G, constructed as ELISHA WEST y 5 described, When so arranged, in connection with the recesses e, e, of the panels, that, Witnesses: by drawing the adjacent panels in opposite J. FRASER, directions till the jack Gr, shall enter said S. J. ALLIs. 

